Photo: Serhii Prystupa / Moment via Getty Images It's no secret that photography gear is expensive. For most of us, whether professionals or hobbyists, purchasing cameras, lenses, tripods and other equipment is a significant investment.
Repairing or replacing damaged or stolen gear could be cost-prohibitive, leaving you without gear you need. But a camera isn't much good if you never take it out because of worry over what could happen to it.
That's where insurance comes in. Just as you might get insurance for your expensive guitar or jewelry, a plan for your camera gear can help protect your investment in case something happens. If you're curious about insurance for your camera, here's what you need to know.
Homeowners or renters insurance may not be enough
Homeowners and renters insurance typically are limited in what they cover for camera gear.
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If you rent or own a home, you likely have insurance for that. Such policies cover your personal belongings, but they often have limitations that could render the policy insufficient for your needs. For example, many policies don't cover accidental damage, such as if you drop your camera. Additionally, a claim may be denied if you use your camera for any amount of professional use, even if it's just an occasional paid shoot or selling prints.
Even more of an issue is that many plans have strict caps on the value and number of items covered. The value caps could even be as low as $1000. That may be enough if you're a casual hobbyist with a beginner-level camera and a single lens, but any more than that could fall outside of coverage, leaving you to foot the bill.
There are policies for your equipment
Homeowners and renters insurance typically doesn't cover accidental damage, so a policy for your gear is a smart investment.
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If your renters or homeowners insurance is too limiting, you may want to consider a dedicated plan or add-on (called a rider) for your gear. The names of such plans vary depending on the insurance company, but it could be something like a "Personal Articles Policy" or "Valuable Personal Property Insurance. "
Cost of coverage varies based on your location, insurance company and the value of your items.
The cost of coverage varies based on your location, insurance company and the value of your items. The more you need covered and the more expensive those items are, the higher the annual cost. However, it is generally relatively affordable even with an extensive, professional kit. Plus, considering what it could save you if something happened, it is well worth the expense.
Even better, many plans don't have a deductible, unlike homeowners or renters insurance, which often have relatively steep deductibles. For example, a $1000 deductible on a $1400 camera often isn’t helpful. Plus, filing a claim is often easier than dealing with homeowners' insurance.
Who should have insurance for camera gear?
Photo: Jeff Keller
Dedicated insurance for your camera equipment is likely a good decision if you spent (or plan on spending) a good amount of money on cameras, lenses and other accessories. It's especially worthwhile for those who travel or spend time outside with their camera, where it could get dropped, stolen or damaged from the elements. Even if you only have a single fixed-lens camera, a specific policy for your camera may be smart if your homeowners or renters policy is limited in what it will cover.
A protection plan makes even more sense if you're a professional photographer, since homeowners' and renters' insurance won't cover your gear in such cases. It's also critical if you have many pieces of high-end gear. After all, your livelihood, or at least part of it, is dependent on your equipment. If something happens and you have to pay for a new camera out of pocket, it could mean the difference between continuing your business or folding.
It's important to know that general personal article policies typically don't cover professional use. If you make money from your photography, you may need to get a plan specifically for a small business. Look carefully at the plan details beforehand so that you don't end up with a denied claim because of professional activity. It's also worth noting that, while not gear-related, certain states, cities or venues may require photographers to carry liability insurance. However, that type of plan is often separate from gear coverage.
How do you get coverage?
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If you decide to take out insurance for your photography equipment, you'll want to get some things in order. Each insurance company has specific information they require, but most will ask for a list of all your gear with the serial numbers (when applicable), value, description and proof of ownership (such as a receipt) for each item. They won't be able to give you a quote for your annual premium until they have that information. Plus, that list is also helpful for your records, even if you don't want to get it insured. Some companies may also require photographs of each item for their records.
You can insure far more than just your camera and lenses.
Keep in mind that you can insure far more than your camera and lenses. Tripods, camera bags, laptops, lights and other accessories can all be quite expensive, so it makes sense to insure those, too.
When it comes to choosing an insurance company, most large insurers will offer some variety of personal property insurance. In the United States, State Farm, Progressive, USAA, Allstate and more offer such plans. Most also have plans suitable for professionals, though many working pros prefer specialized insurers because of better claim handling and scope of coverage. For example, organizations like Professional Photographers of America (PPA), the National Photographic Society (NPS) and The Guild of Photographers offer insurance for members.
Other notes on insurance
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If something happens to your gear, there are a few things to remember. First, if it is stolen, file a police report immediately. Insurers will require a police report if you're filing a claim for theft, and you want that on the record as soon as possible. If you're traveling out of the country, make sure you do so before you leave, because getting a police report once you're home is next to impossible.
For broken gear, write an account of what happened while it's fresh in your mind, and take photos or even videos of the damaged item(s). Then, contact your insurance as soon as possible. Many companies have deadlines for claim submissions, and if you wait too long, they may not accept your claim.
Talk to an insurance agent
The cost and benefits of insurance coverage will ultimately vary depending on your location, gear and specific needs. If you're on the fence or confused about needing a specific policy or want to know the cost, contact an insurance agent for more specific advice. Additionally, some of the information in this article is specific to the US. While insurance is broadly similar in other countries, it's best to check locally to ensure you have the most accurate information for your area.
. dpreview.com2025-8-6 16:00
